The proposed tariff modifications offer customers the option of requesting service agreements electronically and of executing them online via the LINK® System, TETCO’s electronic bulletin board. If approved, the revised sheets will be effective on Jan.1, 2001.

"These actions are in response to customer demands for faster, more efficient access to data and execution of contracts," said Robert B. Evans, president of Duke Energy Gas Transmission. "Texas Eastern, along with our other interstate pipelines, is committed to e-commerce applications that increase the efficiency of the contracting process. Our customers can make optimal operational decisions to assure system reliability and integrity along with compliance with contractual provisions. Across Duke Energy, we are taking advantage of Web technology, making it easier and more efficient for customers to do business with us."

The introduction of electronic contracting will facilitate nominations and increase the efficiency and convenience of the TETCO contracting process for all customers. As part of the proposed enhancement to the TETCO contracting process, this filing also modifies certain tariff provisions to expedite the net present value ("NPV") contract request and contract execution processes.

"The goal of these revised tariff sheets is to streamline and expedite the contract award process in a manner consistent with our currently effective capacity release program," said Evans.

To facilitate the timeliness of new contracts, whether executed electronically or by the traditional written process, TETCO also is proposing comparable posting and bidding requirements for pipeline services and capacity release transactions. Comparable posting and bidding requirements will further the FERC’s goals of providing equality between pipeline services and capacity release transactions.

Additionally, TETCO supports its commitment to providing the benefits of e-commerce through new customer information systems brought online since Sept. 1. As part of its compliance with Order No. 637, on Sept. 1, TETCO brought online a new web-based information system providing the market with real-time current gas day operational capacity information. This information system provides, on an hourly basis, the physical capacity through each compressor station and the total real-time confirmed nominations through each point. This map-based system allows the user to pinpoint any segment on the pipeline and quickly compare physical capability vs. actual confirmed nominations at the point. As additional nominations are confirmed within day, the system automatically posts the revised aggregate nominations. This new system also provides the market with access to the pipeline's real-time balance providing the user an instantaneous view of the pipeline's net balance (nominations vs. actual deliveries).

On Nov. 1, TETCO brought online a current customer usage information system. This system provides the customer with real-time hourly take data, up-to-the-minute actual accumulations at the meter level and in total and a forecasted delivery for the day based on current activity. The system also provides actual real-time hourly and daily entitlements based on confirmed nominations. The customer will have the ability to determine their projected daily imbalance any time within the gas day by comparing their entitlements to their projected totals. Also, this system provides the user with access to all of their individual confirmed nominations to the citygate. The actual end-of-day totals will be available as soon as the gas day has ended, improving the time delay from operational data totals to actual billing volumes down to minutes. Parties desiring more information regarding these new information systems should contact their customer account representative.

Duke Energy, a diversified multinational energy company, creates value for customers and shareholders through an integrated network of energy assets and expertise. Duke Energy manages a dynamic portfolio of natural gas and electric supply, delivery and trading businesses -- generating revenues of nearly $22 billion in 1999. Duke Energy, headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is a Fortune 100 company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DUK. More information about the company is available on the Internet at: www.duke-energy.com.